Vendor applications available for sixth Made in Maui County Festival

March 14, 2019

WAILUKU - The County of Maui Mayor's Office of Economic Development and the Maui Chamber of Commerce announced that product vendor and food truck applications are now available online for their sixth annual Made in Maui County Festival.

Considered Maui County's largest products show, the festival will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului and will be open to the public on Friday, Nov. 1, from 1:30 to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Qualified wholesale buyers and distributors will also be invited to a special "Buyers Preview" on Nov. 1 to talk with vendors one-on-one about their products.

Article Photos

In 2018, the Made in Maui County Festival drew more than 10,000 residents and visitors over the two-day event. PHOTO BY THE MADE IN MAUI COUNTY FESTIVAL.

A total of 140 product vendors will be selected to participate in the 2019 event. Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1) Products for sale must be made, manufactured, grown and/or created in Maui County, although products may include source materials made/found in the State of Hawaii (minimum of 51 percent "Made in Hawaii" product valuation).

2) Other judging criteria may include branding, packaging, website/online presence and an interest in and readiness to export.

As an added benefit, this year's participating product vendors will also receive a membership in the Made in Maui (or their island) trade program, which includes use of the official trademark seal, along with other benefits. Additional information on the benefits will be provided to accepted vendors.

Applications are also available for local food trucks. A total of 13 food trucks will be selected to participate on Saturday, Nov. 2, and three food trucks on Friday, Nov. 1.

To download an application, visit www.MadeInMauiCountyFestival.com (click on the "Vendors" page for a product vendor application, or "Food Trucks" for a food truck application).

Deadline for applications is May 31, 2019, by 4:30 p.m. (HST). Businesses will be notified of the Vendor Selection Committee's decision on or before July 12.

Last year's festival attracted more than 10,000 residents and visitors, and nearly 400 wholesale buyers and distributors across the state and as far away as Japan for the special invitation-only Buyers Preview.

According to Pamela Tumpap, president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, "The Made in Maui County Festival was created to expose Maui County's manufacturing businesses to prospective retailers, buyers, wholesalers and distributors worldwide to help them expand beyond Maui County to statewide, domestic and international markets. We're thrilled with the impact the festival has had over the years in improving our islands' economic diversity while showcasing our islands' talented entrepreneurs and promoting and encouraging both residents and visitors to buy Maui County first."

Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies wishing to show their support for Maui County's entrepreneurs and their products while increasing visibility for their own business.